Months-long negotiations between Apple and major television networks, such as NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox are making progress, bringing on the possibility of a September announcement.
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The Cupertino, Calif., tech firm is making broadcast networks the centerpiece of its cable-killer TV app – and talks with all four networks are rapidly gaining momentum, The Post has learned. By offering their feeds to Apple, affiliate groups such as Tribune and Sinclair will be able to share in the revenue Apple’s streaming TV service will produce.
Apple has not yet decided on how much it will charge for its streaming TV service. Apple wants to have channels like Disney’s ESPN and Discovery in the mix too.
The report also said Apple is pushing for a late fall introduction of the service. And Apple may have found a way to bring the network affiliates into the fold.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 08: Apple CEO Tim Cook (C) poses for a photo with high school kids during Apple WWDC on June 8, 2015 in San Francisco, California. Apparently, his strategy is working and might pay off sooner than anticipated.
Apple is looking to build their streaming service around ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC (no love for The CW?). Some of the networks may want Apple to take a smaller cut of the pie, something the company is already doing with premium networks like HBO. Besides the Apple TV there will be Apple TV apps for all Apple devices.
Last week, Mr. Cook along with his top media negotiator Eddy Cue, was seen at Allen & Co., at the famous Sun Valley duck pond.
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“The theory is that it could have been staging to give TV executives the shivers”, an unnamed executive joked. However, that service didn’t include license payments to broadcasters, and as a result its business model was subsequently invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court 13 months ago.
